The Department of Psychology is a creative and international workplace for research and education. The Department of Psychology conducts successful research in occupational and organisational psychology, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, perception and psychophysics, personality, social and developmental psychology, psychobiology and epidemiology.
Our researchers publish regularly in international journals and actively participate as experts in the media. We collaborate extensively with external organisations and we have a constant exchange of visiting students and researchers from all over the world. As a researcher with us, you will have access to modern research infrastructure. We have a recording studio, advanced laboratories for sleep- and sensory research, and large databases that enable complex studies over time. We also collaborate with the Stockholm University Brain Imaging Centre, offering state-of-the-art imaging technologies, including MRI, EEG and TMS.
For more information about us, please visit the Department of Psychology.
PhD student in Psychology (A)
Project description
The Role of Sleep in Social Settings. Sleep is important for many physiological and cognitive functions. Recently there has been an increased focus on the importance of sleep in social settings. If motivation and cognitive abilities are impaired with sleep loss, how does that affect our social interactions? And what consequences do these effects have?
The purpose of this project is to investigate how sleep and sleep loss affect people in different social settings. The main focus will be on communication and interaction between individuals in different situations, as well as the underlying mechanisms of potential impairments. We will use a variety of approaches, including questionnaires, lab-based experiments, field- and intervention studies, behavioural coding, momentary assessments, and physiological measures. Some of the data is already collected and some will be collected as part of the PhD.
For this position, we are looking for a highly motivated, well-organized, driven, and enthusiastic person interested in this area of research. The candidate should have a high degree of independence but should also show a collaborative approach to research and be able to work productively in a team. Previous experience with data collection, participant interaction, multivariate statistics, and programming is an advantage. As we are an international team, fluency in English (written and spoken) is a requirement.
For more information about the project, please contact project leader Tina Sundelin, tina.sundelin@psychology.su.se
PhD student in Psychology (B)
Project description
Sleep and social connection. Sleep and social connection are both crucial for health and wellbeing. A combination of poor sleep and social disconnect is likely especially detrimental, but how they relate to each other is still unclear. Through several large studies, we aim to systematically explore this relationship. The studies will include questionnaires, experiments, and an intervention, in order to map out the mechanisms, directionality, and potential for improving both sleep and social connection.
The project will involve data collection, engaging with participants, ethics applications, questionnaire development, data management, and advanced statistical analysis. We are looking for a highly motivated, well-organized, driven, and enthusiastic person interested in research on sleep and social psychology. The candidate should have a high degree of independence but should also show a collaborative approach to research and be able to work productively in a team. Previous experience with data collection, participant interaction, data management, multivariate statistics, and programming is an advantage. As we are an international team, fluency in English (written and spoken) is a requirement.
For more information about the project, please contact project leader Tina Sundelin, tina.sundelin@psychology.su.se.
PhD student in Psychology (C)
Project description
The impact of social context on improving intergroup relations. The recent increase in intergroup conflicts emphasizes the importance of finding ways to improve relations between members of adversary groups. Accordingly, social psychologists have developed evidence-based intergroup interventions aimed at improving intergroup attitudes and behaviours towards outgroups. Even though intervention effectiveness and outcomes depend on the context in which people live, most empirical research on intergroup interventions has ignored the impact of the social context. The overarching aim of this proposal is to systematically examine the influence of critical contextual features on effectiveness, processes and durability of intergroup interventions with a particular focus on the role of social norms.
The project will include large-scale longitudinal (online and field) experiments to be conducted in different European countries affected or threatened by conflict. Data will be gathered from representative, heterogenous and large samples to enable generalizability. Data will be analyzed using multi-level analyses, compared across different social contexts and over time. The overarching goal of this project is to identify effective intergroup interventions tailored to diverse social contexts, differing in both the type and intensity of relevant social norms. Required conditions for this position include: strong interest in intergroup relations, experience in designing and conducting large-scale online and/or field experiments (ideally with repeated-measures design), advanced statistical analyses, excellent English language skills, solution-focused and ambitious work style. The PhD candidate will work in close collaboration with an Advisory Board consisting of world-renowned scholars working on conflict resolution and intergroup reconciliation.
For more information about the project, please contact project leader Sabina Cehajic-Clancy, sabina.cehajic-clancy@psychology.su.se.
Qualification requirements
In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.
You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.
You meet specific entry requirements if you have at least 90 credits at first or second cycle in psychology or other education relevant to the subject of the thesis, of which at least 15 credits shall be independent work (thesis), or otherwise domestically or internationally acquired equivalent knowledge. The student must also have such knowledge of English that allows the study of English-language research literature.
The specific entry requirements are described in the General syllabus for doctoral studies in psychology.
Selection
In the selection process, attention will be paid to previous academic merits and an assessment will be made of the applicant's ability to benefit from the doctoral program. This assessment will be based primarily on (1) the previous thesis/publication to be submitted with the application, and (2) other educational and professional qualifications, including previous publications (CV).
Please see the Department's application guidelines for further information.
Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.
About the employment
We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).
A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.
Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
Contact
For more information about the doctoral program, please contact the Head of PhD Program, Mats Nilsson, phone: +46 8 164605, mats.nilsson@psychology.su.se.
Application
You apply for the PhD position via the Stockholm University recruitment system. Attach a cover letter, CV and your own work (e.g. master's thesis), as well as other attachments requested in the application form. For more information, please see the Department’s application guidelines.
You as the applicant are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it is received by the university no later than the application deadline. Instructions for applicants can be found on the website: How to apply for a position.
The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.
Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.
Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
Salary Fixed salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Stockholm
County Stockholms län
Country Sweden
Reference number
SU FV-0776-25
SU FV-0785-25
SU FV-0797-25
Union representative
- ST/OFR, st@st.su.se
- Saco-S, saco@saco.su.se
- Seko, seko@seko.su.se
Published 01.Mar.2025
Last application date 01.Apr.2025 11:59 PM CEST
